Lead Attorneys: Simon H. Bloom, III

We represent residential, commercial and industrial developers, property owners, nonprofit and quasi-public entities in all levels of the governmental review of zoning, planning and land use matters ranging from applications for permitting, re-zonings, variances, special use permits, building permits, subdivision and plat approvals, and other land use issues. We are well equipped to counsel our clients through the myriad of bureaucratic red tape often associated with zoning, planning and land use in municipal and county governments throughout Georgia and the southeast. We understand that these issues often require creative solutions and will work with the local government and neighbors to reach solutions.

Sometimes, however, that process does not produce a client’s desired result. Disputes may pit you against the local government, a neighboring property owner or a competing business. Faced with such obstacles, we will aggressively seek court review and approval where our efforts to obtain approval from the local governing authority fail. We have successfully litigated the future success of the project or value of the property hangs in the balance. We understand the impact these decisions have on our clients’ business and work to get projects back on track, secure permits, and minimize exposure going forward.

We have successfully challenged denials of rezoning, permits and variance applications. We also represent clients with disputes over development permits such as Land Disturbance Permits, Building Permits, Subdivision Approvals and other environmental permits. We have also successfully represented some of the area’s largest builders and developers when confronted with stop work orders, citations and notices of violation.

Recent Wins:

• Successful Rezoning from Residential to Commercial
  Successfully represented a national corporation in re-zoning property from residential to commercial in DeKalb County, despite neighborhood opposition and a previous rejection by the County of the requested rezoning.
• Defended Developer, MARTA, and City during Lindbergh MARTA Project
  Defended the developer, MARTA, and the City of Atlanta against challenges to decision to re-zone the land for the development of the new Lindbergh mixed-use MARTA station project

Publications:

• When the Administrative Process Fails: The Property Owner’s Guide, Simon H. Bloom, presented at NBI: Land Use and Zoning Law Litigation, November 12, 2007, Atlanta, Georgia
• Take a Comprehensive Look at Land Use Law, by Simon H. Bloom, presented at NBI: Land Use Law: Current Issues in Subdivision, Annexation and Zoning, February 14, 2007, Atlanta, Georgia